The RAC is advising UK drivers to make sure they check their tyres regularly to avoid problems.
Having asked drivers about tyres it seems that a number of them are unaware of legal requirements regarding tread and also the general condition of the tyre. The RAC survey found 45 percent of drivers did not know that the minimum tread depth of a tyre is 1.6 mm. For female drivers this went up to 60 percent being unaware of the figure.
Tyres can be forgotten about quite easily but they are very important for road safety, general performance and also fuel economy. The RAC would like drivers to check their tyre condition and pressures at least weekly to avoid having a problem on the road.
A new survey carried out by Tesco Finance has come to the conclusion that van drivers are the safest motorists on the UK roads.
The study looked at insurance claims, finding a lower percentage of van insurance claims than any other type of vehicle. Tesco Finance also found that more drivers of vans receive extra training on the roads than other motorists. Perhaps then the traditional view of van drivers is out of date and should be revised. With van insurance claims so low they may well be good drivers and should see lower premiums as a result.
The counter view that Tesco Finance did not mention in their report was that it could just be that van drivers do not always make a claim when they have an accident. If you look at the knocks and scrapes on many vans this could be a real possibility.
A study carried out by esure car insurance has found that younger drivers are more likely to buy an environmentally friendly car than older drivers.
Over 80 percent of drivers under 25 would consider using a hybrid, electric or bio fuel car according to the esure survey results, reflecting their attitude to the future of the planet or perhaps their concern at the rising cost of fuel. In fact 20 percent of all drivers said they would think about moving to a more fuel efficient vehicle to save money.
The hybrid and electric cars are certainly cheaper to run than existing petrol models, though initial purchase cost is high. Car insurance premiums are also relatively high due to the cost of any repairs that may be needed. Being new and innovative means parts cost much more than regular models.